Folding net-frame



E. E. BROWN.

FOLDING NET FRAME. APPLICATION man ocT. 27. 1919.

Patented May 25, 1920.

INVENTOR Attnrncus UNITED STATES PATENT FFIQE.

ELI-as n. BROWN, '0F READING, PENNSYLVANIA.

FOLDING NeT-FRAME.

Application ile'd October 27, 1919. Serial No. 335,545.

T0 all lwhom t may `concern Be it known that I, FmLis E. BROWN, a

citizen of the United States, residin'o' at Reading, in the county ofBerks and tate of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Folding Net- Frames, of which the following is aspecilication.

My invention relates more particularly to collapsible net devices rsuchas are adapted for landing fish, and like purposes; and it consists inan improved collapsible frame formed of resilient strip material,arranged in engagement with a relatively movable handle portion so thatthe projected kp'ortion of the frame will automatically assume atensioned loop shape, as fully 'described in connection with theaccompanying drawing illustratinga preferred embodiment of theinvention. The novel features are clearly pointed out in the claims.

Figure 1. is a longitudinal view showing the handle portion in section,with the frame in open position, and also indicating in dotted lines aposition assumed by the resilient frame during the folding or unfoldingoperation.

Fig. 2. is a corresponding edge view.

Fig. 3. is sectional view of the handle portion as in Fig. 1 but showingthe completely collapsed frame within the inclosing handle.

Fig. 4l. is an end view of the flared handle portion of the device.

The symmetrically curved hoop or horseshoe form of the projected frameindicated in Fig. 1, is adapted to carry a suitably secured netcollapsible with the frame, and the tubular handle shown is adapted toneatly inclose both the collapsed frame and net as is most desirable ina conveniently portable device. The main feature of the inventionconsists in the simple and advantageous construction of the collapsibleframe, and the direct engagement of the resilient structure with therelatively movable handle portion to control its collapsing andexpanding operation.

The frame as here shown comprises a series of four end-wise connectedresilient strips of metal or equivalent material,form ing an endlessbelt of fixed length; the normally parallel main members 5, 5 indicatedhaving a rigid end connection E6, which comprises a disk portion 8adapted to loosely fit within the tubular frame inclosure 7 forming thehandle portion of the complete device; and the projecting free ends ofthese main members 5, 5 being attached to the respective pivot pins 10,10 of hinge members 11, 11 rigidly secured to the connecting ends ofresilient frame extension members 12, 12 which are themselves hingedlyconnected at their meeting ends as indicated at 13; such hingedconstruction permitting of the free folding of the resilient framestructure into the collapsed form indicated in Fig. 3.

The midway hinge connection 13 ofthe resilient frame extension members12, 12 is arranged to permit of only a one-way hinge movement, by means,as here shown, of a portion 111 of one of said members projecting beyondthe pivotal point so yas to limit outward movement while permitting freehinge movement inward to approximately parallel position.

The hinge connection 11, 11 between the main frame members 5, 5 and theextension members 12, 12 permits the latter' to be jointly folded inwardas indicated in 3, where the collapsed frame, together with the attachednet,is substantially inclosed by the relatively movable tubular handleportion 7.

As the relative position of the collapsed frame and said handle portion7 is changed, and the extension members 12, 12 are forced outward beyondthe withdrawn main memlbers 5, 5, the resilience of the several memberscauses them to first assume the bent positions indicated in dotted linesin Fig. 1, and then the rigid hoop form shown in full lines; the one-wayhinge connection 13 of the extensionmembers compelling the latter tobend while exerting a spreading pressure on the connected main members.To provide for giving improved rigidity and form to the projected frameI preferably extend members 12, 12 beyond their hinge connections 11, 11as overlaps 15, which are adapted to be engaged or disengaged by lockingdevices 16 slidable on the main members.

The forward portion ofthe tubular handle 7 is flared in thespreading-plane of the main members 5, 5, as best indicated in Fig. l,to form guide ways for the bending frame members 5, 5; and is at thesame time narrowed at right angles to said spreading plane so as toserve the purpose of limiting the outward movement of the engagedportion of the frame; the edge portion how'- ever being flangedoutwardly to provide a distended or bell-mouth opening into which thecollapsed net may be readily inserted. j

The form of the handle device may however be varied from that which isspecifi,-

cally set forth, its essential function being f to control the'operation of the collapsing' frame, and the preferred construction maybe otherwise modified within the scope of' the invention, as defined inthe claims.

n What I claim-is:` v Y 1. In Combination With a tubular handle member;a tensioned-loop collapsible net' frame7 madenp of flexible stripsforming apair of main members having fixedly con-V ing outer membershingedly connected toY nea-asm gether and to the free ends of therespective main members; said outer members having overlappingendsadapted to limit their out- Ward hinge-movements and ycontrol theflex- `ure of the strips.

3. In combination with a tubular handle member; a tensioned-loopcollapsible net frame made up of strips forming a pair of main membershaving fiXedly connected end y portions slidably guided in said handlemember, and a pair of inwardlyfolding outer' members hingedly connectedtogether and to the free ends of the respective mainV members; saidoutermembers having overlapping ends adapted to limit their outwardhinge-movements and control `the fiexure of the strips, and said mainmembers having means for clamping said overlapping ends.

4l. AV tensioned-loop collapsible net frame comprising a pair roffiexible strip members having iiXedly connected end portions providedwith a handle-fitting disk, in' combi-k nation with a tubular handlesldable upon said members and having a mouth portion shaped to formoppositely' arranged diverging guide-Ways for the strip members and astop yfor said handle-fitting disk.y

In testimony Whereof'I afiiX my signature.

ELLIS n. BROWN;

